Lessons from my father

As Father’s Day approaches, it is the perfect time to reflect on the love, support and knowledge we’ve received from our fathers over the years. Every father is special, but for those of us who grew up in agriculture, dad always seemed to offer a little more unique, colorful life lessons.

We asked our associates what they’ve learned from their father, the farmer, over the years and received some great nuggets of advice. Read some gems below, including visual and written commentary.

• My grandfather was quite an entrepreneur. After living through the depression of the 1930s, he didn’t let that stop him from building a certified soybean seed business. I used to hang around him and his business and one philosophy he espoused was this: “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” He used to tell me that when you’ve lived through something like the Great Depression, you live for the day because you just didn’t know what tomorrow could hold.  – Greg Nickerson, Chief Executive Officer 
  

• My dad taught me many important things. One of my favorite quotes is, “Make sure you enjoy what you do. Then it never feels like work.” Another is, “Work hard but don’t forget to have fun along the way.” – Lori Hallowell, Vice President, Group Leader 

Lori Hallowell

• My father showed me that it’s okay to use whatever is handy to ward off an attacking rooster, even if it’s the laundry basket you were using while hanging clothes to dry on the line for Mom.  – Wynnie Zuchowski, Group Leader  

• My dad, like most farmers, is a recycler.  Worn socks become grease rags. That old pig feeder makes the perfect litter box. When your daughter crushes the back of a pickup into a telephone pole, turn it into a flat bed. His inventiveness helped me understand that not everything has to be perfect; you just have to make it work. – Allyssa Berry, PR Account Executive

Allysa Berry

• The beauty of life is wasted without love, compassion, humor and a willingness to help your neighbors. Also, a true country girl doesn’t wear shorts in the field, knows what it means to live simply and never forgets how to work hard. – Emily Todd, PR Assistant Account Executive 

• If you’re going to do something, do it right the first time. There’s a lot of pride in straight corn rows and straight fences. – Erik Johnson, PR Account Supervisor 

Erik Johnson

• Everything I know about registered cattle, I learned from my dad — from reading a pedigree and touching up a topline to having patience with a stubborn show heifer. I miss him all year round, but never more so than the first time I hit the grounds at World Dairy Expo each year. – Jen Staudinger, PR Assistant Account Executive 

• Like any farmer, my dad is a strong, confident and caring man who has taught me many things by example. Cherish your family. Work hard, play hard. Get back on the horse. Support your community. Marry your best friend.  – Laurie Underwood, PR Account Executive 

Laurie Underwood

• From my father I learned one important lesson — early and often — growing up. It was simple:  “The cows will not milk themselves, so wake up!”  Looking back it proves humorous, growing up I was unable to see the life-long lesson, “Get up. Show up. And never give up.” Growing up in agriculture you learn a work ethic and commitment to doing the job until it is finished. From our fathers much is learned, but not often realized until we, as adults, have to milk our own cows — literally or figuratively. For his spirit to work hard and laugh while you do it, I am forever grateful for my father the farmer. – David Jordan, Group Leader 

• Life on the farm with dad and grandpa taught us girls that sometimes you have to pull up your boots, get your hands dirty and hold on. We learned that those of us who are involved in the livestock and farming industry need patience, drive and the faith that hard work will pay off. – Wendy Mayo, PR Senior Account Executive and Stacy Mayo, PR Account Executive

Wendy and Stacy Mayo

• Even though we had excellent relationships with several nearby farmers and occasionally traded work, my dad never liked to borrow equipment, even things like wagons. He always said a person should only use what he paid for. I’ve always remembered that and I think it has served me and my family well, particularly now where our suburban neighbors are much closer. – Bruce Herz, PR Vice President, Group Leader 

Bruce Herz

• You can always work harder than everyone else. These animals are yours, and they’re your responsibility. To me, this always reminds me that another being is dependent on you for food, water, shelter and care. It’s a responsibility to do right by them and is probably why I’m in animal health. – Jennifer Ryan, PR Senior Account Executive

Jennifer Ryan

• “It’s no step for a stepper,” he always says. That simple phrase, often repeated and regularly practiced by my dad taught me fortitude, perseverance, responsibility, dedication, optimism. And I only hope that I can continue to follow his sage advice, “Always plant your rows straight.” – Amanda Powell, PR Senior Account Executive 

Amanda Powell

• My Dad is my hero, he’s taught me so many things — how to pick out a good heifer, strategies for bidding at an auction, how to drive a tractor and what the satisfaction of a hard day of work feels like. But, I think the most important of those lessons is the right way to treat people — honest, fair and with respect. It’s an example I strive to live up to every day. – Josh Hushon, PR Senior Account Executive 

Josh Hushon

• My favorite lesson from my father, the farmer: “Always sprint the last 200 yards.” Challenge yourself to go beyond simply finishing what you start. Rather, push yourself to finish stronger than you have before. You’ll be amazed by what you can accomplish. – Aimee Buck, Senior Account Executive

Aimee Buck

• Sure, I could mention lots of farming lessons I’ve learned from my dad, like if you choose not to wear pants while bailing hay, don’t complain that your legs are scratched or that mud fights can make picking rock a little more fun. But the most important lessons that I’ve learned from my father come from his sense of family and community that usually go hand in hand with having family-farm roots. – Mandy Meissner, Account Executive

Mandy Meissner

• “Give ‘em heck.” Those were the usual words my dad would say right before I lead my heifer into the show ring. A lifelong lesson he’s taught me is that with hard work, dedication and never giving up you are able to experience the true feeling of an accomplishment or victory! – Nicole Starr, Assistant Account Executive

Nicole Starr